Is end of September or end of November a good time to visit Cairns?Is 4 days enough to cover most attractions?

Question

We are 4 adults. How is the weather in late Sep like?

We have planned a day for Green Island + Reef, 1 for Atherton Tablelands, 1 for Port Douglas and Daintree and 1 for Kuranda. Is this realistic or do we need one more day? Are we missing out on something important?

Answer 1

You will be going at Spring time and this will be starting to warm up, so take some light clothes and maybe one jacket just in case there's an odd cool night. It is also the start of our wet season, so I hope it doesn't rain too much for you when your here. Sounds like you have your holiday well planned and yes that should cover Cairns main attractions.

Answer 2

If u like lots of rain... thn Nov... else Sept.

Although its nicer to travel in sunny days thn if its raining...

Answer 3

Plan sounds good. Presume you'll be based in Cairns & driving? Weather should be excellent end of Sept.

Count on half day at least to Green Island. No limit on reef tours.

Tableland, drive south & up Gillies Highway to do 'waterfall circuit' inc. Millaa Millaa falls. Lunch at Mungalli Creek dairy cafe - excellent. Don't miss Curtain Fig Tree, Yungaburra, volcanic Lake Barrine (alternate excellent lunch cafe) & Lake Eacham, Spectacular Tolga Woodwork shop on way back through Kuranda - or do the circuit vice versa.

Kuranda - go up by scenic rail & back by skyrail. See Butterfly Sanctuary, Birdworld, Barron Falls walk. If you are interested in wildlife rehabilitation, look for Bat Reach, entry by donation. Lots of tropical flying-foxes & other orphaned wildlife. Say hi to Pam.

Plan Port Douglas for Sunday to take in huge Pt Douglas markets (8am-2pm), about 1 hour drive from Cairns, then about another 3/4 hr to Daintree. Most boat trips down Daintree take about 11/2 - 2 hrs. You wouldn't fit in Cape Tribulation same day.

Answer 4

http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/t... is the Bureau of Meteorology climate summary for Cairns.

Answer 5

The weather is good albeit somewhat unpredictable in Spring.  It will be beautifully warm, but you might get some wind or even a bit of rain.  You have planned one day only for each attraction which is enough to get a glance. but not enough to really enjoy all there is.  If you like to be on the move all of the time then 4 days is fine --it will allow you to decide if you want to plan a return trip in the future.  If you want to relax a bit then you need 2 days for reef--for sure, and  one day for poking about Cairns--a lovely city!